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Stam admits uncertainty over Reading future

Reading boss Jaap Stam has admitted that he does not know if he will still be at the Madjeski Stadium next season, despite a third place finish this season.

The Dutchman is understood to have plenty of admirers in the Premier League after guiding the Royals to third in the Championship in his first campaign as a manager.

Stam, a Champions League winner as a player with Manchester United, was linked with West Ham when Slaven Bilic was under pressure earlier this term.

And when asked what would happen should Reading fail to secure promotion and a top-flight club come calling this summer, Stam said: “I don’t know.

“I don’t really want to think about it, it’s not there. So we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

“I still have a contract for another season and there’s nothing going on. If it’s up to me for now I’m still over here, I’m enjoying my time here and we are working towards something.

“It would be nice if we can do it straight away this season, but If it’s not going to happen then maybe next season depending on what the owners can do with the club.”

Reading face much-fancied Fulham in the play-off semi-finals, with the first leg at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Despite finishing five points ahead of the Cottagers, Stam’s side go into the tie as underdogs according to the bookmakers.

But he said: “I don’t mind that. I’m not reading what people are writing about us, or Fulham, and I’m not really interested either.

“I’m interested in the team, what we can do, how we have played against Fulham and how we can make it difficult for them to get a good result so we can get to the final.

“We know it’s not going to be easy, Fulham are a quality team.

“They’ve been looking to end up in the top six for several seasons, they’ve been in the Premier League for years already, they have money to spend so it’s logical for them to have that ambition as well.

“There is no pressure on us to get there straight away, but if you have the chance, then you want to take it and that’s what we want to do.

“We are ready for it. As a club, as a player, you want to play games at a certain level – and here we are.”